Fluid-pressure-actuated switch valve



Nov. 27, 1923. 1,475,697

v H. B. HARTMAN FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED vSWITCH VALVE Filed Aug. 4131920 Y v HBJ'arZman,

WIM/asses." l It il; d. @JM L Wt l ,Il Gamma Patented Nov. 27, 1925i.

` UNITED` STATES PATENT OFFICE; -l

HARRY nUxToN HARTMAN, or 's'CoTTnALE PENNSYLVANIA, AssIcrNoIt ToELECTRIC WATERv sTEErLIzEn AND ozoNE COMPANY, A coRroRATIoN orPENNSYLVANIA.

I'LuInrnnssURE-ACTUATED SWITCH vALvE.

Application led August 13, 1920. Serial No. 403,431.

To all 'whom it mary concern."

Be it known that I, HARRY B. HARTMAN, citizen .of the United States,residing at Scottdale, in the county of Westmoreland and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Fluid-Pressure-Actuated Switch Valves, of which the following is aspecification. Q

This invention relates to the general `subject of valves and hasparticular reference to an improvement in devices of the type that areresponsive to differential fluid pressure conditions.

A primary object of the invention is to I6 provide a valve forautomatically opening and closing an electrical circuit through themedium of a switch which should be opened and closed according topressure conditions in a Waterusupply lme such for instance as the mai-nfeed line of a water purifying apparatus. of the t pe disclosed in myVcopending application erial No. 353,857 filed January 24, 1920. That isto say, it is proposed to provide a valve that will maintain the Ilswitch closed to supply electrical current to the apparatus when theproper water pressure is in the supply line, but which in event that thewater supply is cut olf, will cause the switch to open to prevent theoperation ao of devices otherwise caused to 'function by the electricalcurrent supplied through the switch line.`

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide avalve of simple 85 and practical constructi`on, and in addition to belngsusceptible of adjustment to meet varying preures in the supply line, is

thoroughly leak proof and so designed as to reliably function under allconditions of use.

With the above and other objects in view which will become apparent asthe description proceeds, the invention preferably consists 1n the'novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter,more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view oft-he so valvefthe dotted lines showing the osition of the plunger andplunger stem w en the switch is c osed Figure 2 is a horizontal crosssection on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

rFi re 3 is a' horizontal cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1. j

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout theseveral figures of the drawings.

In its preferred embodiment the present valve device includes in itsorganization al suitable valve casing 1 which is open at one end as at 2while the other end is closed as at 3. The said closed end is formedwith an interiorly threaded collarfi and cooperates with the sides ofthe casing to provide a plunger chamber 5. for receiving a plunger 6designed to have a leak proof lit therein. This plungerpreferablyconsists of the' metallic body plate 7 and the leather cupf 8 that isheld in place by the clamping nut N and whose relatively free skirtportion 8*l hydraulically seals itself against the sides of the chamber5 to prevent the escape of liquid at this point.

Ihe said plunger 6,l comprising the body plate 7 and nut N'is carriedupon a stem 9 one end of which projects exteriorly of the casing toperform the function of a switch operating member. That is to say, thestem 9 is provided with threads 10 for receiving the threaded boss 11 ofthe body plate 7 and a similar portion 1 2 of the nut N in such a mannerthat the leather cup 8 may be securely locked or held in a .fixedposition on the stem.

For the purpose of guiding the stem 9 in its movement to effect theoperation of the switch, and also to perform the more important functionof regulatin thev pressure for seating the-plunger 6, a re ativelyadjustable bushing 13 and spring 14 are provided. That is to sa theupper end of the casing 1 is `fitted with a threaded bushing 13 whosecentral bore acts as a guide for the stem 9 while its lower endconstitutes an adjustable abutment for tensioning the spring 14 sur--rounding the stem 9` and engaging with the body plate 7 about the boss11 thereof. By reason of the threaded engagement of the bushing 13 withthe .casing it will be apparent that the tension of the spring 14 may bereadily adjusted to meet varying ressures in the supply line. For exampe, if I the ressure in the supply line is 7 5 pounds, the ack pressureon the plunger would be very much greater than if the initial pressurewere 5() pounds, and, to meet the former condition, the bushing 13 maybe screwed down to compress the spring and thus exert more pressure onthe back ot the plunger in the direction of seating, while on the otherhand if the initial pressure in the supply line is pounds the baclrpressure on the plunger would be lower, and the bushing 13 may be thenscrewed upwardly to release some ot the compression in the spring. 'lhis'feature of the valve is important since it enables the same to be usedon supply lines carrying dih'erent pressures, so that by setting thetension of the spring to meet the pressure the valve may be caused toreliably actuate the switch.

The end 9b of the stem 9 preierably has a guiding engagement in thecentral opening 15 ot the spider 16 formed within the body ot thefitting 17 which is interiorly threaded as at 18 to engage with thecorresponding threads on the exterior of the casing l. Illhe fitting 1'?in addition to providing a guide tor the lower end of the plunger stem 9is also provided with a nipple portion 19 for tting directly to thesupply line S so that the :lull pressure of water or other liquid withinthe line S is exposed directly to the side of the plunger 6 having theleather cup 8 fitted thereto. Obviously when pressure exists toasufcient degree in the line S the plunger 6 will be elevated, and on theother hand when the pressure drops below the predetermined point thespring 1l will seat the plunger and retract Athe stem 9.

rlhe collar portion 4- ol" the casing 1 may be conveniently utilized forsupporting the traine F of the electrical switch mechanism arrangedwithin the casing 20. This switch mechanism may be of any standard andwell lrnown type that includes an operating stem 21 which when pushed inone direction closes the electrical circuit, and upon the release ofsuch pressure automatically opens the circuit. W ith this arrangement,long as sufficient pressure exists in the supply line d to elevate theplunger 6 the stern 9 thereof will be positively projected to maintainthe switch mechanism closed, but upon the fall of pressure in the line Sthe switch will be opened automatically due to the retraction et thestem 9 within the casing, in the manner previously indicated.

For the purpose oi" relieving the under side 22 et the switch casing Q0ot the heavy pressure imposed thereon when the plunger is elevated, asuitable stop abutment 1E may be placed or :termed within the chaniber'lto engage the baclr ot the body plate 7 as shown in Figure 1. Also., toinsure the tree operation oit the plunger under the influence ot thespring lll, and prevent the formation of an air compressor space abovethe plunger, the casing 1 may be provided with an air vent 1b.

By reason of the novel detachable mounting of the switch frame F uponthe collar a of the casing it is possible to readily detach the switchmechanism from the valve for adjustment or repair while 'at the sametime it will also be apparent thatl the body of the valve l and thefitting 17 may be readily separated to have access to the plungerchamber and plunger operating therein. Also the provision of the leathercup 8 is of material importance since water pressure on the skirtportion 8"L thereof will produce a tight t with the sides of the body 1to thereby increase the sealing e'ect between the plunger and casing andobtain a thoroughly practical and leak prooi valve which is highlydesirable, and in fact essen-g tial to a satisfactory installation.

ln connection with the switch frame F it will also be noted that thesame has a relatively swivellecl engagement with the valve body. 'lhatis to say, the arms F ol the frame have the web F2 which connects thesame, so formed as tol lit over the tubular collar whereby the frame maybe adjusted circumferentially thereabout to enable the wires ot theswitch to be led oil at any convenient point to go directly to theelectrical devices. To enable the frame to be secured in the desiredadjusted position suitable 'astcnings l" such as set screws or the likemay be employed.

llrom the foregoing it is believed that the features and advantages ofthe present type of valve will be readily apparent and it will of coursebe understood that changes, in the form, and roportion of parts may bereadily resorted to without departing from the spirit ot the invention.or scope ot the appended claims.

ll clairnzl. lin an electro-tluid device of the class described, acasing having a relatively closed end wall provided with a collar andopen at the other end, a chambered fitting secured to the open end o'lthe casing and provided with a threaded pipe-nipple-receiving` opening,an abutment carried by the inside wall of the casing, a plungeroperable'in the casing, a spring lor holding said plunger normallyseated against a portion of said litting, a bushing arranged 'withinsaid collar and providing a guide for the stem of the plunger and alsoconstituting an abutn ment for said spring, and a switch devicesurmounting casing and surrounding the collar.

2. ln an electro-duid device of the class described, a plunger casinghaving a relatively closed end open at the other end, a chamberedfitting secured to the open end of casing and having an interiorly MC*threaded pipe-nlpple-reoeiving portion, said fitting also having aspider formed in the chambered portion thereof and provided with a guideopening, a plunger operable Within the casing, a stem for adjustablycarrying said plunger and extending to opposite sides thereof, the stemat one side of the plunger operating in vsaid guide opening of thespider and the stem at the other side of the plunger being guided in there1- atively closed end Wall of the casing, and a switch surmountingsaid casing and operated by said plunger stem.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature;

HARRY BUXTON HARTMAN.

